Washington County jury acquits Per’s client of Measure 11 assault charge

Per’s client was accused of striking his girlfriend with a laundry detergent bottle and was charged with Assault in the Second Degree, a Measure 11 offense which, upon conviction, would have resulted in a mandatory sentence of 70 months.  (Washington County Circuit Case Number C150616CR).  The client testified and denied the allegation, which was a brave move as he had prior drug related convictions that the prosecutor used to try to impeach his testimony.  The jury believed the client and returned a not guilty verdict on all assault-related counts.  (He was convicted of drug possession and theft in an unrelated incident).  Key to the case were witnesses who testified about the client’s non-violent character, as well as the location of detergent on the floor, which we contended was inconsistent with the complainant’s account.